Dance down the yellow brick road with the Pittsburgh Ballet's production of "The Wizard of Oz," check out music and more at City of Asylum's Jazz poetry events or celebrate Mother's Day at the Children's Museum — here's what to do in Pittsburgh this weekend.
Music and Poetry
City of Asylum — among the local groups that just lost NEA funding (see above) — continues its annual month of free Jazz Poetry events. On Wed., May 7, Alphabet City welcomes flutist Nicole Mitchell and her quintet honoring Pittsburgh greats like Geri Allen and Erroll Garner. She’s accompanied by esteemed poets from around the world including Chen Chen, Cameron Lovejoy, Roya Marsh and Ajibola Tolase. Jazz Poetry month continues with five additional events through May 22.
Dance
The seemingly endless supply of all things Emerald City in our culture continues with the Pittsburgh premiere of “The Wizard of Oz” ballet as choreographed by Septime Weber, renowned artistic director of Hong Kong Ballet. With 85 roles, 44 flying cues, 42 puppets and hundreds of costumes, it’s a Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre spectacle, complete with Matthew Pierce’s original score played live by the PBT Orchestra. There are eight performances over two weekends at the Benedum Center starting Fri., May 9.
Film
The restoration of a legendary silent film gets its Pittsburgh premiere — indeed, just its second U.S. screening. Swedish filmmaker Victor Sjöström’s “The Wind” (1928) stars screen icon Lillian Gish in a psychological drama about a young woman from the eastern U.S. trying to survive in remote Texas. The digital restoration by the Museum of Modern Art is screened with accompaniment by local pianist and composer Tyler Stone. The Sat., May 10, event at Downtown’s Harris Theater is a fundraiser for the Pittsburgh Silent Film Society & Festival.
Visual Art
West Mifflin native John A. Rice is based in New York City now, but he returns for his first ever exhibit here. “Beyond Words: A Homecoming Exhibition,” at Braddock’s Unsmoke Systems Artspace, is a retrospective highlighting both new works alongside the first full display of all 80 original works from his internationally known Mindscapes Tarot. This exhibit of his oil pastels exploring “spirituality, intuition, and the unseen forces that guide our lives” opens with a reception Sat., May 10, and continues through May 31.
Event
The Children’s Museum marks Mother’s Day with a special program of interactive and hands-on events. A photography studio is offering keepsake Mother’s Day portraits. Families can also make mini-flower bouquets or other gifts in the Art Studio; enjoy butterfly-themed crafts and more with the Midwife Center; join Sing, Move, Play, a music session with local educators; and experience the Lullaby Project Pittsburgh’s Celebration Concert. All activities are free with admission all day Sun., May 11.
Food
More than a dozen area dining establishments are participating in the inaugural Pittsburgh Vegan Restaurant Week. The event, organized by Humane Action Pennsylvania, celebrates plant-based eating at spots from Downtown to Oakdale and from Bellevue to Shadyside. The Vegan Week Specials, from small plates to desserts and entrees in between, run Mon., May 12, to Sat., May 18.
